gabrielle giffords, the former congresswoman critically wounded by a begunman pleaded for action. >> be bold, be courageous, americans are counting on you. >> giffords' husband argued for background checks. >> she'd not have been sitting here today if with we had stronger background checks. >> the hearing on how to prevent gun violence is in response to the shooting mass car in newtown, connecticut last month. the president weighed in during an interview. >> even if it does not save every person who is a potential victim of gun violence, but we save a few, you know, if we don't do that, shame on us. >> president obama has called for tougher laws and including an assault weapon's ban and limits on high capacity jeans. >> law abiding gun owners will not accept blame for the acts of violate or deranged criminals nor do we believe that government should dictate what we can own and use to protect our families. >> the national rifle association intensely opposes any new legislation. conservative republicans are backing the nra. >> and i fail to see how passing additional laws that the depa